Composer, Hymn Writer. Born near Salisbury in Wiltshire, England, he emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1830, where he played the organ at the Old South Church for almost 40 years. Together with Lowell Mason, he founded the Boston Academy of Music and composed several choral and organ works, such as "Prel­ude in Eb" and "Post­lude in A". He is best known for writing the hymns titled the Webb tune book which included "Tis Dawn, the Lark is Sing­ing". This song was performed in musical shows and on ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean. He died in Orange, New Jersey. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)